Terrain or relief (also topographical relief ) involves the
vertical and horizontal dimensions of land surface. The term bathymetry is
used to describe underwater relief, while hypsometry studies terrain relative
to sea level. The Latin word terra (the root of terrain ) means "earth."
In physical geography, terrain is the lay of the land. This is usually
expressed in terms of the elevation, slope, and orientation of terrain
features. Terrain affects surface water flow and distribution. Over a large
area, it can affect weather and climate patterns.
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